1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship

The 1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship was the sixth World Match Play Championship. It was played from Thursday 9 to Saturday 11 October on the West Course at Wentworth. Eight players competed in a straight knock-out competition, with each match contested over 36 holes. The champion received £5,750 out of a total prize fund of £18,400. In the final, Bob Charles beat Gene Littler with an eagle at the 37th hole.[1]

1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship

Tournament information
Dates	9–11 October 1969
Location	Virginia Water, Surrey, England
Course(s)	West Course, Wentworth
Format	Match play – 36 holes
Statistics
Par	74
Length	6,997 yards (6,398 m)
Field	8 players
Prize fund	£18,400
Winner's share	£5,750
Champion
Bob Charles
def. Gene Littler after 37 holes

For the first time all tickets had to be bought in advance. Tickets cost £2 and were restricted to 8,000 on the first day, 5,000 on the second and 3,000 for the final.[2]

The tournament that had, in previous years, been played on the East Course immediately before the World Match Play Championship was replaced by the Piccadilly Medal played at Prince's Golf Club from 16 to 19 July. 64 players competed in the knock-out stroke play competition with early rounds being over 18 holes and a 36 hole final. The winner was Peter Alliss who won £1,500.[3]

Course

Source:[4]

Hole	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Out	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	In	Total
Yards	476	157	457	497	192	347	403	400	460	3,389	190	408	480	437	183	480	380	555	495	3,608	6,997
Par	5	3	4	5	3	4	4	4	4	36	3	4	5	4	3	5	4	5	5	38	74

Scores

Source:[1][4][5]

	Quarter-finals 9 October				Semi-finals 10 October				Final 11 October
	Gary Player	10 & 8
	Jean Garaïalde
					Gary Player
					Gene Littler	4 & 3
	Gene Littler	6 & 5
	Raymond Floyd
									Gene Littler
									Bob Charles	37 h
	Maurice Bembridge
	Bob Charles	6 & 5
					Bob Charles	9 & 7
					Tommy Aaron
	Tony Jacklin
	Tommy Aaron	6 & 4

Prize money

Prize money was increased by 15% for previous years with the winner receiving £5,750 out of a total prize fund of £18,400.

References

1. "Need to close gap between groups". The Times, Monday, 13 October 1969; pg. 8; Issue 57689.
2. "Piccadilly to be tickets only". The Times, Friday, 24 January 1969; pg. 9; Issue 57467.
3. "Ryder Cup Team". The Times, Monday, 21 July 1969; pg. 6; Issue 57617.
4. "Aaron's run of birdies swamps Jacklin". The Times, Friday, 10 October 1969; pg. 13; Issue 57687.
5. "Littler breaks Player's hold on title". The Times, Saturday, 11 October 1969; pg. 9; Issue 57688.